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Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures have found their new Man of Steel. Deadline had been hearing for the past weeks that British actor Henry Cavill was the frontrunner for the much coveted Clark Kent/Superman role in this much anticipated reboot. But as of last week, Warner Bros film chief Jeff Robinov hadn't seen Cavill's or the other screentests and made his decision in recent days. Repped by CAA, Cavill just wrapped production on The Cold Light of Day and stars in the upcoming Immortals, opening this fall. Directed by Tarsem Sing, Caville in Immortals plays the he-man Greek warrior Theseus who battles mythological gods including Poseidon, Zeus, Minotaur, and Herecles. Given that set up, Warner Bros clearly has chosen a more macho leading man for Superman than the previous Brandon Routh or even Christopher Reeve. "He's got an amazing quality. He doesn't look too much like Reeve and Routh but he's big and strong and he has a very modern feel to him," a Warner Bros exec just told us. "We're really going to try and make Superman as contemporary as possible." And just like it did with Christian Bale in the Batman reboot, the studio has gone with a British actor. In fact, Cavill also auditioned for the Batman role but lost out to Bale in 2005. He also was a contender for James Bond but was deemed too young and lost out to Daniel Craig. Clearly, Cavill is a franchise waiting to happen. He also has a past with Superman. Before Bryan Singer came on to direct Superman Returns and cast Brandon Routh, Cavill had been one of the frontrunner choices for directers Brett Ratner and McG when they were going to helm the picture. That Superman was younger, and this time, the intention was to cast an actor near 30. Cavill, who will be 28 this year, was born in the Channel Islands and his film credits include The Count Of Monte Cristo.

The new film from Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures is being produced by Christopher Nolan (It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's Chris Nolan! He'll Mentor Superman 3.0) and directed by Zack Snyder, who made this statement: “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.” Warner Bros, Nolan, and Snyder cast a "wide net" to find the next Man of Steel. Last November, insiders told Deadline that the studio was open to creating a star as it rebooted the Superman franchise: specifically, that the actor would either be a discovery or on TV but likely someone who isn't well known yet. And he'd be in the age range of 28-to-32. The studio considered hundreds of young actors before making a decision just like Sony Pictures did before choosing Andrew Garfield. There was buzz on actors like Armie Hammer, the strapping 6'5" actor, and Tyler Winklevoss, who was eyed to play Batman in a Justice League movie that Mad Max helmer George Miller was poised to direct, and True Blood's Joe Manganiello, who claimed during a recent movie junket that he'd been considered, and Ian Somerhalder of The Vampire Diaries.

While the Batman films have been populated by established stars Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and now Christian Bale, Superman has always lent itself to discoveries. Christopher Reeve was a find in the Salkind franchise, as was Brandon Routh in the Bryan Singer-directed Superman Returns. (Before Routh got the job, Matt Bomer was eyed seriously by almost-directors McG and Brett Ratner.) Even on the small screen, the original Superman TV series star George Reeves and Smallville's Tom Welling and Lois & Clark's Dean Cain were discoveries. The lone exception we can recall was the time that Tim Burton tried to put together a Superman film with Nicolas Cage, an effort that failed because the budget became so high. And then Josh Hartnett was courted during the Ratner version (that got scrapped when Singer took over), but Hartnett didn't take the role, even though he stood to potentially make $100 million for three pictures if all had been made. Trust us, the new guy is going to get hired on the cheap.

Other producers include Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers. The new Superman is targeted for release in December 2012.

Cavill's a pretty good choice I think, based on what I've seen of him on the Tudors and the photos. I remember he was painfully close to being Superman and James Bond a few years ago, but he was deemed too young, and that had to sting to miss out so publicly. Looks like time was indeed all it took. It's interesting that Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man, three American culture icons, will all be played by British actors now. I hope Cavill and Garfield go down as successes like Vivien Leigh's Scarlet and not, I don't know, Albert Finney's Daddy Warbucks or something (although I liked Finney anyway). I am very glad that it was not Mathew Goode, as he seemed like a much better fit for Batman than Superman to me.

Hey they used the term "he-man" when describing Theseus! I know it's known more than anything as the name of Eternia's champion, but I like when it's used as it's intended meaning too that way it's easier to defnd when it comes down to it.

If the talent is there why not? Can you imagine anyone better playing House than Hugh Laurie?

That's true. I just find it funny that pretty much 90% of the big American roles are going to British actors and actresses playing American. It's weird. It's a fairly recent phenomenon (being widespread, I mean).

...and they still have Americans playing the British.

Take part in Illumina Day! Let people know who she is and help get her in MOTUC.

Judging from some of the newer pictures I've seen, I hope that they get Jeremy Irons to play Jor-El.

Originally Posted by Darkspecter

Kind of off topic, but why are all the actors you see in things nowadays British actors playing Americans? I...I just don't get it.

I think I'm seeing more Aussies becoming American stars like Russel Crowe, Sam Worthington, Guy Pearce, Hugh Jackman, and the late Heath Ledger. Maybe most American actors just lack the wanted screen presence? At least we have a lot of options here in the States, we'll take anyone that can fake a decent American accent (admittedly we're getting a little less strict about that judging by Worthington's efforts).

Originally Posted by Piccolo Daimaoh

House? Does he fight for truth, justice and the American way? No, but Superman does.
If the better actor is Edward Norton should he play James Bond or, yikes, Doctor Who?

I have trouble picturing any non British actor embodying the Doctor (not even all Brits can do that), though Bond has been played by, sure enough, an Australian before. The Brits haven't forgotten all those American Robin Hoods, but I guess it's their own fault for killing off their own Robin Hoods every time they get a good show going.

If the talent is there why not? Can you imagine anyone better playing House than Hugh Laurie?

How about Kiefer Sutherland? LOL!

"I wouldn't be surprised if this movie has Adam as a skinny nerd from Earth battling another skinny nerd-hacker from Earth that used an alias of Keldor. They then enter Tron-style to a cyber world called Eternia, where they control muscle-bound avatars to battle (called He-Man and Skeletor). And these same avatars come to life and continue to battle in present-day Earth." - VZX

I have trouble picturing any non British actor embodying the Doctor (not even all Brits can do that), though Bond has been played by, sure enough, an Australian before. The Brits haven't forgotten all those American Robin Hoods, but I guess it's their own fault for killing off their own Robin Hoods every time they get a good show going.

There was an American James Bond in the original Casino Royale from the late 50's/early 60's. You bring up George Lazenby and yes, he was Australian, and yes On Her Majesty's Secret Service is one of the greatest Bond films of all time so he gets a pass in my book. He wasn't a bad Bond.
I don't think there has been a bad Doctor, just bad writing. Colin Baker and Paul McGann were good as the Doctor, though Colin Baker's close could blind an old woman.
Robin Hood though sucks. When I think of Robin Hood I think of Errol Flynn who was Australian, like Russell Crowe, or American Kevin Costner.
It's like having Aragorn being played by an American.

A journey that began long ago in a place neither near nor far…
A story of heroes, passed down through the ages…
Until now.
This is our story. These are our heroes…

I think this a cool photoshoped image of Cavill as Superman! I just hope we get a suit that looks as good!

[IMG][/IMG]

"I mark the hours every one, Nor have I yet outrun the Sun. My use & value unto you, are gauged by what you have to do."Enscribed onto Hermione Granger's Time Turner from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban